Australian Football

Match Report

Adelaide has overcome a three-quarter time deficit and greasy conditions to record a hard-fought win over Brisbane at the Gabba. While the Crows have not yet recaptured their scintillating form of 2012, coach Brenton Sanderson would have been pleased and relieved to get a win on the board, after a disappointing loss to Essendon at home in round one.

Stefan Martin got the Lions off to a bright start in the first two minutes of the game, taking a strong mark on a lead and kicking truly from 40 metres out. Adelaide did not reply until Ricky Henderson kicked his first at the nine-minute mark. A goal after a mark from Taylor walker gave Adelaide the lead but Brisbane's James Polkinghorne replied within two minutes. At quarter time, scores were locked at 2.3 apiece.

The second term the two sides continue to go goal-for-goal, although two in a row from Richard Douglas and Walker in the middle of the quarter enabled the Crows to go into the long break with a seven-point buffer.

Brisbane seized control for much of the third quarter and converted their half-time deficit into an eight-point lead at the final change. It could, however, have been a bigger - and perhaps matchwinning - lead, but the Lions squandered several easy chances in front of goal. They kicked 4.8 for the quarter to the Crows' 2.5.

In the last term Adelaide came out firing, and it was Patrick Dangerfield who led the charge for the Crows. He was in everything and kicked two team-lifting goals, one of which gave the Crows the lead. It was a lead they would not relinquish. Matthew Jaensch put the finishing touches on for the Crows with a goal in the last minute and Adelaide were victorious by 19 points.

Dangerfield was inspirational for the Crows, with Rory Sloane and Thompson Scott also excellent, while Pearce Hanley played another great game for Brisbane, picking up 30 disposals.

The winless Lions will journey down the highway to take on Gold Coast in round 3, while Adelaide return home for a Showdown with the undefeated Port Adelaide.

GOALS
Brisbane: Martin, Green, Zorko 2; Polkinghorne, Hanley, Rockliff, Bewick
Adelaide: Walker, Jenkins, Petrenko, Dangerfield 2; Henderson, Sloane, Douglas, Reilly, Jacobs, Jaensch

BEST - AFL.COM.AU
Brisbane: Hanley, Leuenberger, Moloney, Rockliff, Zorko
Adelaide: Dangerfield, Sloane, Thompson, Jenkins, Douglas

BEST - BRISBANETIMES.COM.AU
Brisbane: Hanley, Moloney, Merrett, Redden, Leuenberger, Zorko
Adelaide: Dangerfield, Sloane, Rutten, Thompson, Jacobs, Walker

COACHES' COMMENTS
Michael Voss (Bris): They [the Crows] were just able to control the ball at the right time and we couldn't get out hands on it at the right time. It's a credit to Adelaide. The ball was locked in our back half for a fair period of time.

Brenton Sanderson (Adel): We had some special efforts tonight individually but what I liked about the win most was that we had an even contribution from the entire 22. It was a really good team effort.

SUBSTITUTES
Brisbane: Ashley McGrath replaced by Patrick Karnezis in fourth quarter
Adelaide: Ian Callinan replaced by Jason Porplyzia in third quarter

UMPIRES: Shane Stewart, Heath Ryan, Ben Ryan